FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

$24 Million Awarded to More Than 80 Organizations for Extended School Day & School Violence Prevention Programs

The state Education Department awarded more than $24 million in state-funded grants for extended school day and school violence prevention programs to 83 school districts and non-profit organizations across the state, Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced today.

“There is literally nothing more important than the safety of our children,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “The Board and I are grateful to Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Flanagan and the Legislature for providing resources to prevent violence and to keep our students involved in safe and educational activities.”

“It’s a simple proposition – when students are safe and engaged in productive afterschool activities, they’re going to enjoy school more and do better,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The grants we’re awarding today will go a long way towards protecting and enriching our children.”

Eligible programs provide support to students through extended school day activities and/or school safety programs which promote violence prevention. Extended school day programs will increase student achievement, provide extracurricular enrichment activities, and contribute to school violence prevention. School violence prevention activities include comprehensive school-based intervention models that reduce violence and improve school safety as well as provide funding for safe corridors, diversity programs, collaboration with law enforcement agencies or community-based organizations.

Grants range from $80,000 to $350,000. School districts and not-for-profit organizations working in collaboration with public school districts were eligible to apply for grant funding. SED received more than 450 applications requesting $130 million in funding. Each application was evaluated and scored by peer reviewers, including experts in expanded learning opportunities; college and university faculty and administrators; professional program evaluators; community educators; community service providers; staff from foundations and charitable organizations, as well as SED staff.

Lucy N. Friedman, President of ExpandED Schools, said, “We believe in the power of an extended day to engage kids in ways that are not always possible in a traditional classroom setting. Without the fear of a grade, students are more open to explore new challenges, like robotics or debate. Extended day programming provides kids with more time for enriched learning and social-emotional development. These extra hours also support the working parents because they know their children are in a safe, engaging place and this strengthens communities.”

Kelly Sturgis, Executive Director of the New York State Network for Youth Success, said, "The New York State Network for Youth Success is pleased to hear the announcements for the 2016-2021 Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention (ESD/SVP) grant awards. ESD/SVP programs support students through extended school day programs and school safety programs, with an emphasis placed on violence prevention. Through programs like ESD/SVP, New York is one step closer to providing quality care to the 1.1 million children still in need in the State. We would like to commend the State Education Department for their commitment to programs like ESD/SVP.”